Gov’t holds talks for hotel developments on Beef Island, Norman Island
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has indicated that significant hotel developments may be on the horizon for the Virgin Islands.
At a press conference on September 16, he hinted at potential projects on Tortola and the outer islands. He noted that the board members of the state-owned Prospect Reef Hotel are making substantial progress and that an expression of interest for the property will soon be issued.
“We are also in discussions with the owners of Beef Island, who are interested in a major hotel development there,” Dr. Wheatley stated. “Additionally, we’re in talks with the owner of Norman Island, as well as several other investors.”
His comments followed inquiries about hotel developments in light of regional airline Winair’s discussions about direct flights to Virgin Gorda.
During a recent interview with JTV, Winair CEO Hans van de Velde revealed the airline’s 63-year history and its current routes to Tortola, the largest island in the BVI. Following discussions with local authorities, Winair is considering a direct route to Virgin Gorda.
Van de Velde also met with Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer to discuss enhancing air travel options and improving regional and international connectivity. This proposed expansion is expected to boost tourism, facilitate business travel, and enhance convenience for residents and visitors.
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Pressure! You have to pressure these jokers to get them to do anything.
– The roads are terrible (even the new patch in Brandywine bay is starting to decay already)
– People are dying when they go to our clinics
– Kids get dumber in school every day
– Our government is as corrupt as it gets
– Nothing is done about waste management (scrubber anyone?)
– Crime rates are through the roof
Here Natalio, made a little to do list for you. Everything in this territory, and literally everything got worse under your administration. Can you step down or actually focus on what is important now.
Please purchase the Hans Creek area and turn it into a national park. Please create low-impact touristic opportunities (e.g. boardwalk, nature hides) so that this treasured resource can be enjoyed by both locals and visitors. 100% do not build a resort on it. We are guardians of these special islands, and once these virgin sites are developed they will be lost. The infrastructure of the BVI cannot stand largescale development at this time. We have third-world roads, third world healthcare. Our towns and villages run with sewerage and polluted water each time there is a heavy rain storm. The BVI tourism opportunity is for high-end, low-scale tourism. We want high net worth travellers who appreciate the privacy and exclusivity of these islands. This is no place for an all-inclusive Sandals resort. It is because BVI is undeveloped that people want to come here.
Similarly Norman Island is perfect as it is. By building a resort(s) on it you will destroy the very thing which makes it successful. Mr Jarecki is rich enough, he does not need to develop this. If he is a true philanthropist he would donate it to the people as a national park.
Watching to see how beef Island plays out.
A past NDP government was voted out while pushing for that development.